Pubdate: Mon, 21 Apr 2008
Source: Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)
Copyright: 2008 Newark Morning Ledger Co
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/starledger/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/424
Author: Jim Miller

THE COURAGE TO BUCK THE PARTY

Much has been made about Rep. Rob Andrews' decision to challenge Sen. 
Frank Lautenberg for the Democratic Senate nomination. The state's 
other Democratic representatives offered a terse letter portraying 
Andrews as a traitor to his party. Although Andrews sat with the 
others in October to express support for Lautenberg, he now says he 
be lieves New Jersey Democrats de serve a choice.

It isn't the first time Andrews has crossed his colleagues. Nine 
years ago, he reacted in direct opposition to the entire state 
congressional delegation. My late wife, Cheryl, suffering from MS, 
visited the members' Washington offices while confined to a reclining 
wheelchair, able to move only her head. Andrews was the only one 
unwilling to ignore Cheryl's request for an appointment, including 
her own congressman, James Saxton. It's not the fact that Andrews 
changed his position on medical marijuana after meeting Cheryl that 
impressed us. He saved Cheryl from being totally ignored.

Listen carefully to the Democratic Party's complaints about Andrews, 
for they are in fact the reasons you should support him. He is 
willing to shake things up and put the people before his party.

- -- Jim Miller, Toms River

The writer is co-founder of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom